Jay Bellis

@bad.dad.2017

Haida/Kootenay Indigenous Artist 🧡 making cultural handmade art. Born, living and working on Sovereign Haida Gwaii 🌊 Yahgu’Laanas
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Weeks posts
Split Fish Roasting In The Fire Pit. Current work in progress 🐟🔥✨ manifesting some visits with friends by the fire with some fresh fish🤞🏼.
47 3
9 hours ago
new prints for sale! “Bear Trails” This print is inspired by the relationship between the returning salmon, the bears, and the plants in the forest 🐟🐻🌺🍃 This 17” x 22” print is a signed and numbered edition of 24. Would make a nice Mother’s Day gift 🎁✨ I have 14 left 🙂 message to purchase!
316 17
9 days ago
“Tree Of Life” acrylic, abalone shell, canvas. October 2025. 16”x 20” I drew the design for this painting while sitting in the forest, during a locally organized art retreat here in masset. it was the anniversary month of Kerri’s passing, so i was thinking of my sister. And other loved ones we’ve lost in recent years 🌱🌲 mostly trying to focus on remembering how funny they all were, and all the crazy things they’d do and say❤️✨
83 0
10 days ago
When I began my journey learning to create traditional art, beadwork was my first medium. I was first taught by my sister Kerri Dick when I was seven. Kerri sat me down at our Naanii Lavina’s kitchen table, had me pick out the beads we would use, then taught me how to bead a feather. I was then later shown how to bead again by our Mother when I turned thirteen. From those first two art lessons, my passion for traditional art was sparked, and has grown into a practice that encompasses many mediums. This is why it’s so important for our artists to keep sharing their work and teaching the younger generation. Even just a small lesson, guidance, encouragement, or a bit of time can inspire someone and start them on their journey. this photo shows jewelry I made years ago and gifted to family. My sister Kerri passed on a little over a year ago. And I wanted to acknowledge her for teaching me. She was an amazingly talented weaver and storyteller, and was always generous with her knowledge. She taught many different artists during her life ❤️‍🔥🌀 and I was lucky to be one of her first students I love you Kerri ♾️ and I miss you.
47 0
16 days ago
I’ve been cleaning out my attic this week. it’s been nice finding projects I put away and forgot about. And exciting to see some of my old ideas with fresh eyes 👀 definitely found some keepers up there. this was a paddle study I did 9 years ago. the design is a mosquito 🧡🦟✨
117 1
25 days ago
Here is a project I am very excited to share with our Haida Gwaii community in the coming months. I have painted seven original and different hand drums. And I will be painting four more. Upon completion, all eleven Haida Drums will be gifted to the Gaw Tlagee Youth Dance Group! Can’t wait to hear the kids sing with them at the next Potlatch 🗣️🎶 This drum depicts Nang Kil Sdlaas (The Raven) placing the light in the sky. Happy Friday peeps ✌🏼😎 wishing everyone a good and safe weekend
195 8
1 month ago
some behind the scenes snaps from Kristi’s photoshoot with Georgie Yesterday 😉 Kristi is wearing a custom hand painted jean jacket she commissioned me to create, and Georgie is wearing the first denim jacket I ever painted, circa 10 years ago. I am so excited to see the photos! so fun to collaborate! @kristi_lane_sinclair @georgielawson
185 1
1 month ago
“Jaylene’s Spider” Ink pen, and pencil crayon. February 2026. This tattoo design was commissioned by my good friend @ayahuasgo ! The design took me multiple attempts to get right, and was a bit of a challenge :) buuut I am so happy with how it turned out 🕷️🕸️✨ Happy Friday Everyone 😎
89 4
3 months ago
Cousin @dianakwhite ✨ modelling some of my work: a grizzly bear copper shield applique vest, a woven wool neckring, a beaded cuff bracelet, thigh spun wool earrings, and a beaded bottle. 🙂 Hope everyone had a good week 🥂 Photographed by @georgielawson 📸✨
75 2
3 months ago
Christmas coat sale! 🎄💝🎁 This denim coat features a Fungus-Man design in wool applique with shell buttons, and acrylic painted letters. Available for purchase 😉 message for details! ✨ For those who don’t know the fungus man story… Raven is travelling along, on his way to get the first Women from Chaaw Gwaayee, but every-time he gets close to the island, he is overcome and orgasms, and thus is unable to reach the island… frustrated, Raven goes into the woods and while kicking at some logs he sees a bear cookie (bracket fungus) and gets an idea… Raven brings one of the bear cookies to life and asks him to be the steersman on the journey to Chaaw Gwaayee… Fungus-Man using his supernatural strength to hold on (just like he does his whole life to the logs and trees) resists the power of Chaaw Gwaayee, keeps from orgasming, and steers himself and Raven successfully to the island where they retrieve the first Women of creation ♥️✨
405 16
4 months ago
**BEAVER SOLD** Everyday Appliqué Sale! 🎄💝🎁 This collection has been made with natural, durable, and washable materials. Designed for daily use 😉 This heavy ultra-suede coat features a beaver design in wool applique with shell buttons. Available for purchase 🙂 message for details! ✨
179 8
4 months ago
Christmas coat sale! 🎄💝🎁 This hand-painted denim child’s coat features a Herring school design with shell buttons! Available for purchase 🙂 message for details ✨
147 3
4 months ago